Veterans Memorial Drive Animal Hospital
Electrical Stimulation
Electrical stimulation is when electrical impulses are used on nerves within a muscle group to help increase muscle strength, decrease pain, or both for your pet.
Overview
Electrical stimulation is when electrical impulses are used on nerves within a muscle group to help increase muscle strength, decrease pain, or both for your pet. There are three types of electro stimulation that may be used: neuromuscular electro stimulation (NMES), transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), or electro-acupuncture.
Why should I consider electrical stimulation for my pet?
The goal of veterinary electro stimulation is to decrease the pain your pet is feeling, increase the muscle strength, or both. These types of stimulations help animals with muscle contractions (usually because of nerve damage), pets with painful muscle spasms or tightly contracted muscles (due to compensating for a different injury), and pets that have a musculoskeletal disease, neurological damage or pain.
When should I consider electrical stimulation for my pet?
If your pet has nerve damage (back fractures, slipped discs, or nerve damage in a forelimb) then neuromuscular electro stimulation (NMES) may help your pet by creating muscle contractions for them. This strengthens their muscles.
If your pet is experiencing painful muscle spasms or muscle contractions due to compensating for another injury, then transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) may help your pet by relieving them of pain.
If your pet has a musculoskeletal disease, neurological damage or pain, then electro-acupuncture may help boost the nervous system’s conduction of signals which allows for the better pain management or muscle strengthening.
Please speak to your local veterinarian if you are interested in learning if electro stimulation is right for your pet.
How is my pet cared for during electrical stimulation therapy?
The goal of electro stimulation is to decrease the pain your pet is feeling, increase the muscle strength, or both. An electro stimulation device has multiple properties which can be adjusted to get the desired effect without any discomfort for your pet.